Sporting want Manchester City youngster Patrick Roberts on loan next season

Portuguese club Sporting CP want to sign Manchester City forward Patrick Roberts on loan ahead of the forthcoming season.

The 20-year-old has in the last 18 months been playing for Scottish champions Celtic since joining City from Fulham in the summer of 2015.

Given the strength of competition for places in Pep Guardiola's starting line-up, the likelihood is Roberts will again be playing elsewhere, with Sporting according to the Daily Mirror keen to acquire his services.

Celtic, where he's enjoyed his football in the campaign just gone, want to make him a permanent signing whilst Ligue 1 out Nice and German pair Schalke and Hoffenheim are interested.

Roberts, whose current deal at City expires in June 2020 and has to date only made three appearances for their senior team all coming under former boss Manuel Pellegrini, was an ever-present in Brendan Rodgers' all-conquering Celtic team which ended their domestic season unbeaten.

The England under-20 international, who missed their recent World Cup triumph in South Korea, made 47 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops registering 11 goals and creating a further 19.